(AP) CARACAS, Venezuela President Hugo Chavez said Saturday that Venezuelan voters should have the chance to decide whether he should govern the country for the next 25 years.

Speaking at a stadium packed with supporters in central Lara state, Chavez said he would hold a referendum to put the question of his remaining in office to Venezuelans if the opposition pulls out of upcoming presidential elections.

"I am going to ask you, all the people, if you agree with Chavez being president until 2031," he said.

It was not clear if Chavez was talking about holding a legally binding vote to eliminate term limits or proposing a plebiscite.

Chavez said Friday that he said he might seek "indefinite" re-election through a referendum if the opposition boycotts the presidential vote.

"I would call a national referendum to have the people decide if I can continue here indefinitely or if I have to go after six years," he said.

Opposition leaders accuse Chavez, a former paratroop commander first elected in 1998, of becoming increasingly authoritarian and opening dangerous divisions along class lines in Venezuela -- the world's fifth largest oil exporter.

The Venezuelan Constitution allows a president to be re-elected only once in immediate succession. Chavez is eligible for re-election to another six-year term in December, but if he wins he would not be able to run again in 2012.

And I have no doubt how that vote will turn out... If the Left really wants to see some voter fraud, they should stop focusing on Diebold machines and take a look in Latin America (and any election that Jimmy Carter certifies).

And the reaction of the Moonbats? Crickets chirping, other than this post at DU congratulating Chavez on his goal of creating a Leftist Western Hemisphere to oppose US policies. Notice how one commenter questions some of Hugo's policies and is immediately attacked...

lovuian (1000+ posts) Sun May-07-06 10:18 PMOriginal message

Hugo Chavez wants to form 'axis of good'

http://feeds.bignewsnetwork.com/?sid=f81c0087d358d3ba

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is leading the way to form what he calls an axis of good -- countries opposed to U.S. foreign policy.

He heads to London this week to meet with Mayor Ken Livingstone and others who oppose what they see as U.S. imperialism, The Sunday Times of London reports.

In his own hemisphere, Chavez is gaining support, the newspaper said.more...Is this a topsy turvey world???